Missouri continues efforts to expand broadband access across its rural areas. The state is one of the biggest beneficiaries of an auction conducted over the summer by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in which $1.5 billion in federal funds will be used to subsidize expansion to unserved areas over the next 10 years.  

Missouri received an investment commitment of $255 million over a decade as companies competed in a “reverse auction” in which bidders that committed to delivering the best service while using the smallest amount of FCC subsidies got to serve that region.  

The FCC Broadband Progress Report shows that 1.25 million Missourians - or 20% - don’t have access to high-speed Internet (25mpbs/3mbps). The majority of those citizens reside in rural communities.